Washing-machine agitator



A. L. WALLING.

WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1922.

Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

ARCHIE I. WALLING, 0F AKRON, OHIO.

WASHING-MACHINE AGITATOR.

Application filed March 13, 1922.

of Ohio, have invented certain new and use-- ful Improvements in VVashing-Machine Agitators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an agitator of this character, especially adapted for use in connection with any form of construction of clothes receiving receptacle, for instance in any ordinary wash tub, whether of wood or metal, and furthermore it is the aim to employ the principle of suction,'to agitate the clothes, and to force the suds back and forth through the clothes.

Still another purpose is to provide an agitator mounted for rocking movement in the receptacle or tub, in combination with a suitable handle carried by the agitator, for

oscillating the same, in order to create a suction action on the clothes.

A further purpose is the provision of an agitator, wherein a plurality of suction cups is used, preferably four in number, though it is obvious that any number of cups may be employed, and disposed properly relatively to the bottom of the receptacle or tub and disposed on angles, in order to permit the agitator to oscillate.

In creating a suction on the clothes, the

dirt is readily removed from the soiled clothes as the agitator is rocked.

Additionally, the invention aims to provide an agitator, which may be easily disassembled, for shipment, and in view of the parts, namely the suction cups, the supporting means therefor and the rocking shaft and handle are preferably connected, the various parts may be easily detached for repairs.

It is to be understood that the'particulars herein given are in no way limitative and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modifications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus according to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of. parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings, and claimed.

Serial No. 543,301.

In the drawings:-

lhgure 1 is a plan View of the improved agitator arranged in applied position in a clothes receiving receptacle or tub;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4.4 of Figure l.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the clothes receiving receptacle or tub. which may be any construction and propor tions, and constructed of any suitable material, preferably sheet metal, and is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed handles, whereby the receptacle may be moved from one place to another.

A pair of hangers, oppositely disposed is mounted on the wall of the tub or receptacle. Each hanger 2is constructed from a piece of sheet metal bent to form an elongated portion to extend within the receptacle in engagement with its side wall, and to provide a short portion 3 overlying the wall of the section 7. to hold the end Sections 8 in different ad usted positions, enabling the rock shaft. to be lengthened or shortened. to fit and accommodate itself to receptacles or tubs of different diameters. The remote ends of the end sections 8 of the rock shaft have reduced journals 10. which aremounted in suitable hearings of the elongated portions of the hangers 2, for the purpose of supporting the rock shaft in position. As illustrated the elongated portions of the hangers 2 are provided with pluralities of apertures or bearings 11, it being the aim that the reduced journals are to engage in two opposite bearings. By providing these pluralities of bearings or openings 11, it is possible to adjust the rockable shaft to different posiplaced in the reception and the suds of a suff tions, with relation to the bottom of the receptacle or tub.

The agitator comprises a plurality of suction cups 12 and 13, which are arranged in pairs. The suction cups 12 and 13 are disposed at an acute angle, so that the marginal lower'edges of the walls of the cups will extend upwardly and outwardly, as shown in the transverse sectional view of Figure 2, thereby enabling the agitator to oscillate freely, and yet insure a suction action on the clothes.

Depending from and secured adjustably to the sections 8 of the rock shaft are hangers 14. These hangers at their lower ends terminate in arms 15, which extend toward each other, and are disposed between the flanges of the suction cups 12 and 13. These arms 15 are V-shaped in cross section, and are bolted at 16 to the flanges of the suction cups 12 and 13, in order to hold the cups at an acute angle. As previously stated the hangers 14 are adjustable on the rock shaft, and to hold them indifferent positions suitable thumb screws 17 are threaded through their upper ends and designed to bear frictionally upon the shaft. Suitable straps 18 are bolted at 19 to the upper wall of the suction cups, for the pur-' pose of reinforcing the cups relatively to each other, at right angles to their reinforcing connections previously set forth. These metal straps 18 are shaped to conform to the conical contour of the upper walls of the suction cups, and secured to them by bolts 20 are the arms 21 of the angle pieces '22. The upstanding arms 23of said angle pieces are secured by means of bolts 24 and wing nuts 25 to a suitable handle 26, which extends upwardly, and is long enough to be grasped and oscillated manually.

In other words the journals of the sections 8 of the rock shaft are so mounted in their bearings of the hangers 2, as to permit the shaft to freely rock, due to the oscillatory movement of the handle. The clothes are ficient uantity to cover the clothes are also used. bviously by moving the handle of the agitator back and forth, imparting rocking movements to the shaft, and since the hangers 14 are made with the shaft and the angle pieces 22 fast to the straps 18, the suction cups 12 may be moved downwardly, while the cups 13 elevate. When the cups 13 descend, the suction cups 12 ascend, that is due to the oscillatory movements of the handle, hence the suction cups oscillate, one

pairdownwardly while the other upwardly and vice versa.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is i 1. An agitator of the character indicated, a rocking shaft, hangers adjustably depending therefrom, a plurality of suction cupspending therefrom and provided with armsextending toward each other, a plurality of suction cups arranged in pairs, the construction and-arrangement of said arms being such as to engage between-the flanges of the suction cups and hold the cups at an acute angle, thereby permitting the agitator to have a free rocking movement, and also enabling any pair of cups when brought in contact with the clothes to assume approximately horizontal positions, whereas the other pair is tilted upward, for the purpose of breaking the suction, and vice versa, and means for rocking the shaft.

3. An agitator, comprising a rocking shaft including a handle, hangers depending from the shaft, a plurality of individually removable suction cups arranged and connected in pairs, supporting means detachably connected to all of the cups and suspended from the hangers, the construction and arrangement of said supporting means being such as to hold the cups at angles.

4. An agitator comprising a rocking shaft, a plurality of individually removable suction cups, a handle having means connected to the cups and supporting them in pairs on opposite sides of the shaft, hangers depending from the shaft, supporting means suspended from the hangers and detachably connected to all of the cups, the construction and arrangement of said supporting means being such as to hold one pair of cups at an angle to the other pair of cups.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

ARCHIE L. WALLING. 

